Loose or Packed: A Healthy Comparison of Tea

1. Loose or Packed: A Healthy Comparison of Tea Owing to the varying health benefits, there is no doubt in asserting that tea is a curative beverage that has acquired the power to safeguard our body from several ailments and offer a healthy lifestyle. It is said that regular consumption of tea on a daily basis can act as a stimulant for our nervous system. According to different researches and studies, tea is considered a rich source of antioxidants and flavonoids, that are highly beneficial for the overall well-being. Tea is also proven to be beneficial for slowing down the aging process as the antioxidants present in the tea leaves tend to repair and rejuvenate the cells. As tea has a lesser amount of caffeine content than coffee, it provides the right amount of nutrition without imparting an adverse effect on your senses. There are two types of teas available, i.e., loose leaf tea and in compact tea bags. Specifications, content, taste, aroma and many other such factors distinguish these two forms from each other. There is a vital difference in how these two forms of tea are prepared prior to reaching the shelves of a supermarket. Below is the comparison between both, the loose tea leaves and tea bags with respect to the few parameters that separate one from the other. Quality and Freshness The quality of tea is influenced by several factors that include, time period, growing conditions, a region of origin and method of processing. Loose tea is prepared by the selected tea leaves that are carefully handpicked from the field. On the other hand, tea packed in bags are picked, processed and further sealed via machines. Loose tea leaves can sustain its

2. freshness year long, whereas tea bags are produced in large masses, thus the storage time period is unknown to evaluate its freshness. Flavor and Aroma Loose tea leaves are considered as the ideal form that can preserve the aroma and flavor. The crushed pieces of tea bags that get brewed in a short period of time tends to lose its flavor. As the tea bags are fused in hot water, it loses the essential oils, leaving the tea dull and tasteless. Organic loose tea is fresher in flavor and aroma compared to the tea bags. But the longer one store the tea leaves, the lesser would be its nutritional value. Convenience Convenience is the primary reason why people prefer tea bags over loose tea leaves. It doesn’t require regular attention and neither is it time-consuming to prepare. Just a dip of the tea baginto a cup of hot water does the trick. Above all, tea bags are considered ideal for people who are not hands-on with the process of making tea. Loose tea leaves have to be stored in airtight containers to preserve its aroma and flavor, while tea bags are already picked and packed, thus making them easy to store and carry. Health Benefits Another reason to settle for loose tea leaves is the nutritional value they bring to the table since loose tea leaves have ample space to expand when dissolved in hot water. This allows the water to extract the necessary vitamins and minerals along with the essential oils. With respect to tea bags, it is compact and doesn’t add much nutritional or medicinal value to the water as compared to loose tea leaves. Thus, tea made from loose leaves would be a healthier option than a packed one. Loose or packed, tea has acquired the proportional medicinal value that offers its regular consumer a healthy lifestyle. High concentration of antioxidants and the right amount of polyphenols helps in minimizing the risks of severe ailments including cancer. Depending on the aforementioned parameters comparing the two forms of tea, you can accordingly decide whether you would like to settle for the handpicked loose tea or the machine packed tea bags.